Electronically adjusted variable ratio drive

ABSTRACT

A widely adjustable ratio drive mechanism capable of infinite variation in ratio utilizing timing belts and timing gears is presented which employs an electronic sensing device for actuating a cone pulley transmission to change the ratio of the drive either on demand or automatically, depending upon the mode of operation of the electronic sensing means.

O United States Patent 1 [111 3,736,821 Obenshain [4 1 June 5, 1973 [541 ELECTRONICALLY ADJUSTED 3,668,957 6/1972 Nido ..83/76 x VARIABLE IO DRIVE 1,599,880 9/1926 Edwards ..83/76 X 2,023,851 12/1935 Nehlsen ..83/76 [7 51 Inventor: David Noel Obenshain, Swanton, 2,023,243 12/1935 Rhea et al. ..83/76 Md. [73] Assignee: Westvaco Corporation, New York, 5:22: 2 gzfiysglgg gfgfbiii I AttarneyLarry C. Hall and Richard L. Schmalz [22] Filed: June 10,197]

[57] ABSTRACT [21] App1.No.: 151,724

A widely adjustable ratio drive mechanism capable of infinite variation in ratio utilizing timing belts and tim- U-S. ing gear is presented employs an electronic 1 Cl. sen ing device for a tuating a cone pulley transmission [58] Field of Search ..83/76, 72; 74/192, to change th r ti f th drive either on demand or 9 9 automatically, depending upon the mode of operation of the electronic sensing means. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 3,244,863 4/1966 Paterson ..83/76 X PAIENTEUJUH 5 1975 SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR David Noel Obenshuin ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUH 5:975 3.736821 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR David Noel Obenshclin BY a M ATTORNEY ELECTRONICALLY ADJUSTED VARIABLE RATIO DRIVE SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to a drive mechanism and more particularly to a drive mechanism that is electronically adjusted to provide infinitesimal variations in the ratio of the drive. The drive mechanism contemplated by this invention utilizes a cone pulley transmission that is driven by exchangeable timing gears and timing belts. The drive mechanism is further actuated by an electronic adjusting means to shift the drive belt in the cone pulley transmission, to yield an adjustable ratio drive of high power and speed, and one having a degree of precision not formerly achieved.

The present invention is an improvement in applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,147 and represents the latest and most successful development in a series of drive mechanisms that have been used in applicants patented paper sheeting machine disclosed initially in U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,326. Specifically, the invention pertains to a novel drive mechanism for use in paper cutting machinery. However the drive mechanism disclosed herein could obviously find use in other applications requiring an widely adjustable and extremely precise ratio drive capable of transmitting appreciable power.

As set forth in applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,147, it is desirable in a paper sheeting machine that the length of the web fed in a cutter cycle be precisely predetermined and accurately controlled. If this criteria is observed, the need for subsequent edge trimming of the cut sheets before shipment to the user is eliminated. Moreover, the machine should be arranged and driven so that it might be quickly and conveniently set to feed consistently any one of a multiplicity of predetermined sheet lengths per cutter cycle. The different sheet lengths desirable differ only slightly from one another and form collectively an unbroken arithmetical series between widely spaced lower and upper limits.

In the above noted prior patent the ability to precisely cut up to 90 percent of the sheet lengths required was achieved by employing three exchangeable timing gears and a fixed timing gear driven by two fixed length timing belts on the paper cutting machine feed roll and cutter drum. In a conventional sheet cutter, there is usually a cutter drum having mounted in its periphery one or more flyknives, and a set of feed rolls feeding the paper web to the cutting zone. The ratio drive between the rotary cutter drum and the feed rolls deter mines the sheet length to be cut.

In the past, some sheet cutters have been driven with complicated gear boxes to control the sheet length beingcut. For instance, in applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,662, a gear box was described which utilized a spur gear on the cutter drum shaft that cooperated with a second spur gear on the feed roll shaft, with the ratio of the two gears and the diameter of the feed roll determining the sheet length obtained. It was found, however, that the inherent backlash in this form of change-type spur gearing, plus torsional vibrations in the various gears, shafts and supporting structures of the gear box, promoted a variation in the actual sheet length cut that was not acceptable. To overcome these problems, the timing belt drive of applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,147 was devised.

However, as noted above, only percent of the desired sheet lengths could be cut precisely with the timing belt drive. Accordingly, further research was invested using previously untried mechanical elements to yield the infinitesimal sheet length adjustment achieved with the present invention.

The device disclosed herein, which employs an electronically actuated cone pulley transmission, gives the same good precision obtained with the timing belt drive of U.S. Pat. 3,572,147, but further permits the user to cut percent of all sheet lengths required. The present device also minimizes wrap-ups and snap-offs that had occurred when operating at the abnormal web tensions often required with the timing belt drive. With the device disclosed herein, the optimum web tension for each grade and condition of paper may be employed.

Furthermore, with the cone pulley drive disclosed herein, only 12 exchangeable timing gears are necessary to cover the entire sheet length range from 29 to 78 inches. With the timing belt drive of applicants prior patent, over 70 different timing gears were required for the same sheet length range. Accordingly, the present invention utilizes the timing gears and specially manufactured timing belts which were found desirable in applicants prior patent. In addition the pressure actuated timing gear changing mechanism described in applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,147 is also used herein. The two improvements found in this disclosure are the addition of a cone pulley drive between the feed roll and the cutter drum and an automatic, electronically controlled belt positioning system for adjusting the location of the cone pulley drive belt on the cone pulleys.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows schematically how the different elements of the present invention are connected together;

FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form the different components of the electronic sensing device for changing the ratio of the drive mechanism described herein; and,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the different elements of the present invention as applied to a typical paper sheeting machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In conventional sheeting operations at a paper mill, a single web of paper, or, multiple webs from a plurality of rolls, are combined and directed through a sheet cutting machine at relatively low speed. The sheets thus out are then edge trimmed, sorted and packaged for shipment to the user.

In applicant's patented sheeting machine, disclosed initially in U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,326, a machine for feeding, inspecting, cutting, sorting and stacking sheets of paper was claimed. For that apparatus a gear change unit as disclosed in applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,662 was employed to selectively change the length of the sheet to be cut so that no subsequent edge trimming was necessary. Finally, the gear change unit of the last mentioned patent was replaced by the timing belt drive disclosed in applicants most recent U.S. Pat. No. 3,5 72,147.

The system as outlined above proved quite satisfactory from the point of view of precise sheet'length requirements, but it still had certain restrictive characteristics as set forth hereinbefore. Accordingly, the present variable ratio drive was developed to overcome each of the deficiencies of the prior system. The drive means employed in the present invention still uses a common driving means for the cutter drum and the web feeding means, and the length of sheet out still depends on the length of web fed during a cutting cycle as in a conventional flying cutter. Now, however, with the added electronically controlled variable cone pulley transmission in the system, the user is able to cut any desired sheet length that is required.

In general, and with particular reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, there is shown a common drive motor driving a shaft 9 and timing gear 12 for powering the feed roll 46 and cutter drum 19. The drive is accomplished via a timing belt 11 between the timing gear 12 on shaft 9 and a second timing gear 14 on cone pulley shaft 15. A third timing gear 16 on cone pulley shaft is connected to the timing gear 18 on shaft 17 of the cutter drum 19 by the timing belt 13. Thus the motor 10 drives the cutter drum 19 indirectly via the elements above noted. Of course, the two cone pulleys 38 and 40 are driven by the adjustable belt 39. Therefore, cone pulley 38 drives the cone pulley 40 and cone pulley shaft 41. Attached to the cone pulley shaft 41 is a replaceable timing gear 49 that includes the pneumatic gear changing assembly 42 disclosed and claimed in applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,147. A final timing belt 43 is shown connecting the replaceable timing gear 49 with the feed roll timing gear 44 on feed roll shaft 45. Accordingly, the motor 10 similarly drives the feed roll 46 indirectly via the elements noted above.

Each of the timing gears used in the invention are constructed to special concentricity tolerances not exceeding 0.001 inch. Similarly, the timing belts must also have very precise tooth spacing. All belts are selected and tested under running conditions on a testing rig which can detect non-linearities of one part in five thousand. The teeth in the belts fit very snugly in the grooves of the timing gears thereby substantially eliminating backlash. In addition, the belts have steel cables in their construction and therefore stretch only very slightly under load.

As a further convenience for the machine operators, the drive mechanism has been arranged so that they need only select an exchangeable timing gear 49 having the same number of teeth as the sheet length desired. The pneumatic gear changing assembly 42 described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,147 assures that the selected timing gear 49 can be easily and quickly removed and replaced. Where the replaceable timing gears 49 are available in one-tooth increments, the selection of the proper timing gear for the desired sheet length is made quite easily. Thus for a 50 inch sheet, a timing gear 49 having 50 teeth would be fitted on shaft 41 with the pneumatic gear changing assembly 42. As stated hereinbefore, using the cone pulley drive 38, 39, 40 of the present invention, only 12 quick change replaceable timing gears 49 are needed to cover the entire sheet length range from 29 to 78 inches. The table reproduced below shows the relationship between the number ofteeth on the quick change timing gear 49 and the sheet length obtained. In addition, the table also shows the shortest and longest sheet length obtained with each respective timing gear along with the sheet length span for each timing gear that is obtainable using the novel cone pulley drive disclosed herein.

CORRELATION BETWEEN TIMING GEARS AND SHEET LENGTH Quick-Change Mean Shortest Longest Sheet Timing Gear Sheet Sheet Sheet Length Teeth Length Length Length Span 30 30.000 28.516 31.562 3.046 33 33.000 31.367 34.718 3.351 36 36.000 34.219 37.874 3.655 39 39.000 37.070 41.030 3.960 42 42.000 39.922 44.187 4.265 46 46.000 43.724 48.395 4.671 50 50.000 47.526 52.603 5.077 55 55.000 52.279 57.863 5.584 60 60.000 57.031 63.124 6.093 65 65.000 61.784 68.384 6.600 70.000 66.536 73.644 7.108 75.000 71.289 78.905 7.616

It will be noted from a consideration of the table above that the span of sheet lengths obtainable using the cone pulley drive varies from 3.046 inches with the 30-tooth timing gear to 7.616 inches with the 75-tooth timing gear. This variation precluded the use of a simple scale on the cone pulley belt shifter 37 for indicating the prescribed sheet length. Accordingly, to solve this problem, the automatically acutated, electronic counter belt positioner was added to the system.

The cone pulleys 38, 40 for the drive mechanism shown in FIG. 1 would typically be 17.500 inches in diameter at the small end and 18.500 inches in diameter at the larger end. The face of each cone pulley in our own preferred embodiment is 54 inches long. The maximum belt travel is thus limited to 50 inches, with the center line of belt 39 approaching to within 2 inches of either end of the cone pulleys. In order to achieve the accuaracy obtained with the present device, the pulleys must have concentricity tolerances not exceeding 0.001 inch and they must be fabricated with very heavy shafts that are integral with the pulleys. An eccentricity of only 0.005 inch in either of the pulleys 38, 40, could cause an 0.057 inch variation in sheet length when cutting a 51.5 inch sheet. This would be intolerable since the total shipping tolerance of the paper sheets is only 0.063 inch, and the other elements in the machine each contribute their own small amount of variation. Every element in the system has to be as near perfect as technically possible in order to achieve the sheet length precision required for shipping paper directly without guillotine trimming. The very slight taper in the cone pulleys 38, 40 described above allows excellent ratio resolution. A belt shift of one-fourth inch only changes the sheet length 0.025 inch in the 50 inch sheet length range.

The extreme precision obtained with the cone pulley drive of the present invention is due in part to the close tolerances of the pulleys. However, another important reason for achieving the results obtained can be attributed to the use of relatively new plastic belting for the cone pulley drive belt 39. The preferred belt used in the system is made from an oriented nylon polymer core with a special chrome-tanned leather face. The particular belting used is Extremultus LT 3CV" made by Extremultus, Incorporated of Englewood, NJ. The nylon core has a tensile strength of 28,500 p.s.i. and a modulus of elasticity of 85,000 p.s.i. The special leather face of the belt 39 has a coefficient of friction between 0.6

.and 0.8. The belt presently being used on production six times that actually required in normal operation. The high modulus of elasticity of the belt 39 minimizes the tendency toward low frequency torsional vibrations which were found to be troublesome in applicants previously used gear box ratio drive.

With further reference to FIG. 1, it was noted hereinbefore that the belt 39 between the cone pulleys 38, 40 is shifted in position with the belt guide 37 to achieve the desired infinitesimal variation in sheet length cut. For this purpose, the belt guide 37 and accordingly the belt 39 is moved longitudinally of the cone pulleys 38, 40 by a screw shaft 36 driven by a motor 34 through a coupling 50. The operation of the motor 34 is controlled by a motor controller relay 32 which is responsive to signals 60, 61 from the pre-set digital counter 25, and, from a signal 31 generated by a tachometer 8 on the main drive motor 10. The tachometer 8 sends signals, line 31, to a tachometer 30 and further introduces a signal to the motor controller 32. The motor controller 32 then compares the signal at 31 with the signal at 60, 61 before activating the motor 34 to drive the screw shaft 36 and thereby move the belt guide 37 and belt 39 on the cone pulleys 38, 40 to correct the sheet length differential.

The signal generated at 60, 61 by the pre-set digital counter is responsive to a signal 23 from the cutter drum l9 and a signal 47 from the feed roll 46. In the preferred embodiment shown herein, and on which this invention is based, the feed roll circumference is precisely 36.000 inches. Accordingly a 3,600 pulse per revolution generator 48 (W. & L.E. Gurley, Troy, N.Y.) is directly coupled to the shaft 45 of the feed roll 46 as illustrated in FIG. 1. With this particular chosen ratio, each pulse from pulse generator 48 represents 0.01 inch of web fed to the cutting zone of the paper machine.

0n the other hand, the cutting drum 19 is equipped with a light disk 20 mounted on the shaft 17, and the disk 20 includes a single slot giving one pulse per revolution of the cutting drum. The single pulse per revolution is captured by the lamp and photocell arrangement 21, 22 shown in FIG. 1 and directed through a preamplifier and pulse shaper 24 to produce the signal 23 going into the pre-set digital counter 25. The digital counter found desirable for applicants preffered use is a dual pre-set digital counter, Model RP-lOlR, manufactured by Anadex Instruments, Incorporated, Van Nuys, Cal.

Thus, the digital counter 25 gets a signal 23 from the cutter drum 19 for each revolution of the cutter drum, and a signal 47 from the pulse generator 48 on the feed roll 46 to provide a read-out of the sheet length cut in each revolution of the cutter drum. Since a four digit number is reproduced by the digital counter at the sheet length indicators 28, the true length of the sheet cut in inches and hundreds is obtained by moving the decimal point two places to the left.

It is noted however, that the pre-set digital counter 25 includes a pair of manually settable dials 27, 29 wherein the lower and upper limits respectfully, of a desired sheet length can be pre-set. Thus for any desired sheet length, the upper and lower limit dials would be set several points above and below the specified sheet length, and within the tolerances permitted by the user. If the sheet length indicator read-out at 28 results in a sheet length either less than or greater than the pre-set limits at 27 or 29, a signal is generated at either 60 or 61 respectively to the motor controller 32, to shift the belt 39 in the proper direction to bring the readout into a range between the two limits. However, the primary value of the drive system is experienced when changing sheet lengths to be cut.

When a different length sheet is to be cut on the machine, the operator installs the appropriate quick change timing gear at 49, sets the two pre-set dials at 27, 29 for the new sheet length, and pushes the search button 26 of the digital counter. The machine is then started without paper and other adjustments are made to the machine for the new sheet size. As soon as the machine gets above a minimum speed of approximately 70 cuts per minute, selected to avoid jamming of the cone pulley belt guide 37, the drive motor 34 is actuated and begins to run in the proper direction to bring the read-out at 28 into the range indicated by pre-set dials 27, 29. When the read-out at 28 reaches a value equal to that of one of the pre-set dials, the belt shifter motor controller 32 begins a pulsed mode operation. Prior to the time that one of the pre-set dial readings is reached the motor controller 32 operates the motor 7 34 continuously, and at a speed that would cause back and forth hunting of the motor controller 32 once within the range of the pre-set dials. Consequently, after one of the pre-set conditions is reached, and under normal operating conditions, the belt shifter motor 34 is deactivated. The counter continues to function, however, and by means of other indicators (indicator lights, not shown) informs the operator of the machine of any fluctuations beyond the limits set that might occur.

FIG. 2 illustrates the functional diagram of the motor control system that is designated 32 in FIG. 1.

Whenever the read-out displayed at 28 in the digital counter 25 falls outside of the limits set into the pre-set dials 27, 29, a pulse is produced by the counter 25 which is converted into a continuous signal either at low channel 60 or high channel 61, depending upon whether the pulse is below the reading at 27 or above the reading at 29. However, with the machine running, and, under normal conditions, the system is left in the manual mode so that the signals have no effect. Should the operator note the incorrect read-out at 28, he is able to actuate the motor relay 62 with the system in manual mode, by pressing one of the manual operation buttons 63, 64 to shift the belt 39 in the proper direction on the cone pulleys 38, 40.

Of course, when the search button 26 is pressed, the system is transferred from manual to automatic operation by the transfer device 66. In the automatic mode, the signals generated at either 60 or 61 are permitted to pass through the transfer device 66 and on to the machine speed sensor 67. As noted hereinbefore, if the machine is idle, or has not reached a suitable operating speed to permit shifting the belt without damage, the signal either at 60 or 61 is stopped at the sensor 67. Note that the tachometer generator 8 driven by the primary drive motor 10 feeds a signal 31 into the machine speed sensor 67 which informs the sensor 67 of the speed of operation of the machine. When the machine is running, and a satisfactory speed has been reached cuts per minute), the signal either at 60 or 61 is permitted to pass through the machine speed sensor 67, and, at the same time, an additional signal is directed to the drop-out relay 69 through line 68 thereby starting its timing cycle. The signal either at 60 or 61 next passes through the signal stop detector 70, and through the automatic pulser 71 to the motor relay 62. At this point, one signal 35 is directed to tne motor 34 to drive the motor in the proper direction to shift the belt 39 and thereby bring the read-out 28 back into the range established by the pre-set dials 27, 29. Obviously only one signal 60 or 61 will be generated at one time to indicate a short sheet condition or a long sheet condition.

When the signals either at 60 or 61 stop, and no signal returns for 15 seconds, the drop-out delay 69 automatically sends a signal 72 back to the transfer device 66 to return the system to manual mode. The search button 26 may then be pushed again, and if no signal is produced at 60 or 61, the system will again return to manual mode after the 15 second delay.

If we presume that a signal is coming through 60 for instance, from the digital counter 25, and the belt is being shifted accordingly, as soon as the read-out at 28 reaches or passes the preset limit at 27 or 29, the signal at 60 will stop. However, very likely, the belt shifter 37 will overshoot its predetermined stopping point due to drifting of the motor 34. To prevent the hunting" back and forth previously mentioned, which would normally occur in this condition, the signal stop detector 70 senses this condition and causes the automatic pulser 71 to be actuated through line 73. In this new pulsed mode of operation, a signal either at 60 or 61 is permitted to get through to the motor relay 62 only 1 second out of every 6 seconds. In this manner, the belt shifter 37 is moved only very slowly to reposition the belt 39 on the cone pulleys 38, 40 until the read-out at 28 is settled down within the pre-set limits at 27, 29. Again, if this condition persists for the 15 second period allowed by the drop-out delay 69, the system is once again returned to manual operation. Every time a signal at 60 or 61 is transmitted through the system, the drop-out delay 69 is reset in its timing cycle so that the system can only be returned to the manual mode after all signals have ceased for 15 seconds.

It was originally planned to allow the system to remain in its automatic mode of operation, unless it was purposely returned to the manual mode by the machine operator. This operation would have permitted the system to correct, automatically, any deviations in ratio caused by belt creep or speed of operation. However it was found that occasional transient signals, generated by other equipment in the area, would trigger the counter input even though the system was shielded with the most careful shielding practical. Of course, these transient signals tended to cause a false shifting of the cone pulley belt with the system in the automatic mode. Moreover, even though the system quickly corrected the false signal errors, a few off-sized 'cut sheets were collected during the period of time that the transient signals werepresent. Accordingly, the previously mentioned provision in the system for an automatic return to the manual mode after a l second delay, proved to be a simple expedient for eliminating the problems caused by transient, unwanted signals. Furthermore, the drop-out delay also eliminated the necessity for the machine operator to check each time to insure that the system was not left in automatic mode after the machine reached its normal operating condition.

All of the above functions are performed by solid state logic elements, the details of which will be understood by those versed in solid state electronics. The motor relay 62, on the other hand, is of the electromagnetic type. Therefore all functions could be performed by electro-magnetic relays in place of the solid state logic systems if preferred.

Exact sheet length is not only a function of the feed roll rate, which is what the pulse generator 48 actually records, but it is also a function of the stretch of the sheet while it is being metered by the feed roll. The 36.000 inch circumference feed roll would feed 36.000 inches of paper in a single revolution only when the paper was under no tension. However, the web entering the feed roll is always under some tension, because if operated with no tension, there would always be problems with handling the web or wrinkling of the web. Nominal web tensions range from 1 to 5 pounds per lineal inch (pli) of web width, and paper of 30 pound basis weight stretches approximately 0.059 percent per inch of width. 120 pound basis weight paper stretches only 0.013 percent per pound per inch of width. Therefore the actual amount of sheet length fed by the feed roll 46 in a single revolution is always somewhat less than 36.000 inches. However, the machine operator knows from experience or from charts provided therefor, how much of an increment nust be added to achieve the desired sheet length when setting the digital counter preset dials 27, 29. After a few sheets are cut, the operator carefully measures them to see if the specified tolerances are being met. If the sheets are either too long or too short, the operator need only reset the dials 27, 29 accordingly, then press the search button 26 to allow the belt shifter 37 to reposition the cone pulley drive belt 39.

Using the system described herein, the operator rarely has to make a second adjustment. Unfortunately, paper stretch is influenced by many factors other than basis weight, including moisture, degree of calendering, tightness of the roll winding operation, etc., so that exact settings are not alwsys made the first time.

The illustration in FIG. 3 shows how the different elements of the invention are arranged for use in applicants paper sheeting machine. For this purpose, the paper web is directed from an unwind stand (not shown) and between a feed roll 46 and a squeeze roll 52 into the cutting zone 51 of the machine. The motor 10 drives the cone pulley 38 which is connected to the cutter drum 19 as shown. The cutter drum 19 includes a conventional rotary knife 53 which cooperates with the fixed bed knife 54 to perform the cutting action. Of course, the remaining elements including cone pulley 40 and feed roll 46, are also connected to one another as described in conjunction with the schematic illustration in FIG. 1.

The squeeze roll 52 is shown as being mounted beneath the feed roll 46 in FIG. 3 which is somewhat unorthodox when compared with conventional sheeting equipment. However the arrangement shown has worked very nicely for applicant and it was found to be desirable in connection with the timing belt drive system employed herein.

From the foregoing specification, it will be readily apparent that the present invention makes possible an extremely precise means for accurately feeding and cutting paper. It should be clear however, that sheets of other material could also readily be handled by the novel apparatus described herein in a like manner.

Finally, the invention should not be deemed to be limited only to a sheeting operation. It should be obvious that the apparatus disclosed herein could just as readily be used on other types of machinery where an extremely precise ratio drive was required.

With these features in mind, and having now described the invention and the manner in which it might be used, the following claims are deemed to define what is new and what is to be protected by Letters Patent.

l claim:

1. A widely adjustable drive mechanism having an infinitesimal variation in ratio for consistently feeding and cutting a web of material into sheets of a prescribed length comprising:

a. a driving motor;

b. first means connecting said driving motor to a first portion of an adjustable ratio transmission means;

0. second means connecting the first portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means to a cutter drum assembly;

d. third means connecting the first portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means to a second portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means wherein the first and second portions of said adjustable ratio transmission means each comprise a cone pulley, and said third means comprises a drive belt connecting the two cone pulleys together, a cone pulley belt guide and an actuation means for moving the cone pulley belt guide;

e. fourth means connecting the second portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means to a feed roll assembly; and, an electronic means responsive to signals from the feed roll assembly and the cutter drum assembly for driving said actuation means and adjusting the ratio of said adjustable ratio transmission means by moving the cone pulley belt guide and shifting the position of the belt on the two cone pulleys to produce infinitely small changes in the ratio of said adjustable ratio transmission.

2. The adjustable drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said feed roll assembly and said cutter drum assembly each include timing gear drive means attached to the driven ends thereof and said first, second and fourth connecting means each comprise fixed length timing belts.

3. The adjustable drive mechanism of claim 2 wherein said adjustable ratio transmission means has at least one exchangeable timing gear drive means removably attached to the driven end of one of the portions thereof.

4. The adjustable drive mechanism of claim 3 which includes means for assisting the selective removal and seating of the exchangeable timing gear drive means for changing the prescribed sheet length to be cut.

5. A precision web feeding and sheet cutting apparatus including a widely adjustable drive mechanism capable of infinitesimal changes in drive ratio comprising:

a. a feed roll and squeeze roll mounted on said apparatus to form a pressure nip through which a web of material is fed;

b. a rotary sheet cutting mechanism mounted on said apparatus in line with said feed roll and squeeze roll for cutting said web of material into sheets;

c. an adjustable drive mechanism connected to both said feed roll and said rotary sheet cutting mechanism for precisely feeding and cutting the sheets into prescribed length, said adjustable drive mechanism further comprising:

l. a cone pulley drive including a pair of oppositely mounted cone pulleys each having an exterior slope of very slight taper;

2. a first means connecting one of the cone pulleys with said feed roll;

3. a second means connecting the other cone pulley with said rotary cutting mechanism;

4. a third means connecting the two cone pulleys to one another, said third means comprising a drive belt, a belt guide and a drive means for said belt guide; and,

5. an electronic means responsive to signals generated by said feed roll and said rotary cutting mechanism for activating said drive means to move the belt guide and thus shift the position of said drive belt on the two cone pulleys to effect infinitesimal changes in the ratio of said adjustable drive mechanism for precisely controlling the length of the sheets being cut. 

1. A widely adjustable drive mechanism having an infinitesimal variation in ratio for consistently feeding and cutting a web of material into sheets of a prescribed length comprising: a. a driving motor; b. first means connecting said driving motor to a first portion of an adjustable ratio transmission means; c. second means connecting the first portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means to a cutter drum assembly; d. third means connecting the first portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means to a second portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means wherein the first and second portions of said adjustable ratio transmission means each comprise a cone pulley, and said third means comprises a drive belt connecting the two cone pulleys together, a cone pulley belt guide and an actuation means for moving the cone pulley belt guide; e. fourth means connecting the second portion of said adjustable ratio transmission means to a feed roll assembly; and, f. an electronic means responsive to signals from the feed roll assembly and the cutter drum assembly for driving said actuation means and adjusting the ratio of said adjustable ratio transmission means by moving the cone pulley belt guide and shifting the position of the belt on the two cone pulleys to produce infinitely small changes in the ratio of said adjustable ratio transmission.
 2. The adjustable drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said feed roll assembly and said cutter drum assembly each include timing gear drive means attached to the driven ends thereof and said first, second and fourth connecting means each comprise fixed length timing belts.
 2. a first means connecting one of the cone pulleys with said feed roll;
 3. a second means connecting the other cone pulley with said rotary cutting mechanism;
 3. The adjustable drive mechanism of claim 2 wherein said adjustable ratio transmission means has at least one exchangeable timing gear drive means removably attached to the driven end of one of the portions thereof.
 4. The adjustable drive mechanism of claim 3 which includes means for assisting the selective removal and seating of the exchangeable timing gear drive means for changing the prescribed sheet length to be cut.
 4. a third means connecting the two cone pulleys to one another, said third means comprising a drive belt, a belt guide and a drive means for said belt guide; and,
 5. A precision web feeding and Sheet cutting apparatus including a widely adjustable drive mechanism capable of infinitesimal changes in drive ratio comprising: a. a feed roll and squeeze roll mounted on said apparatus to form a pressure nip through which a web of material is fed; b. a rotary sheet cutting mechanism mounted on said apparatus in line with said feed roll and squeeze roll for cutting said web of material into sheets; c. an adjustable drive mechanism connected to both said feed roll and said rotary sheet cutting mechanism for precisely feeding and cutting the sheets into prescribed length, said adjustable drive mechanism further comprising:
 5. an electronic means responsive to signals generated by said feed roll and said rotary cutting mechanism for activating said drive means to move the belt guide and thus shift the position of said drive belt on the two cone pulleys to effect infinitesimal changes in the ratio of said adjustable drive mechanism for precisely controlling the length of the sheets being cut. 